Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) affects 5%-35% of runners. Research over the last 40 years investigating a range of interventions has not established any clearly effective management for MTSS that is better than prolonged rest. At the present time, understanding of the risk factors and potential causative factors for MTSS is inconclusive. The purpose of this review is to evaluate studies that have investigated various risk factors and their association with the development of MTSS in runners.METHODS:
Medical research databases were searched for relevant literature, using the terms “MTSS AND prevention OR risk OR prediction OR incidence”.RESULTS:
A systematic review of the literature identified ten papers suitable for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Measures with sufficient data for meta-analysis included dichotomous and continuous variables of body mass index (BMI), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, navicular drop, orthotic use, foot type, previous history of MTSS, female gender, hip range of motion, and years of running experience. The following factors were found to have a statistically significant association with MTSS: increased hip external rotation in males (standard mean difference [SMD] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-1.04, P<0.001); prior use of orthotics (risk ratio [RR] 2.31, 95% CI 1.56-3.43, P<0.001); fewer years of running experience (SMD -0.74, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.23, P=0.005); female gender (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.15-2.54, P=0.008); previous history of MTSS (RR 3.74, 95% CI 1.17-11.91, P=0.03); increased body mass index (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.41, P=0.003); navicular drop (SMD 0.26, 95% CI 0.02-0.50, P=0.03); and navicular drop >10 mm (RR 1.99, 95% CI 1.00-3.96, P=0.05).CONCLUSION:
Female gender, previous history of MTSS, fewer years of running experience, orthotic use, increased body mass index, increased navicular drop, and increased external rotation hip range of motion in males are all significantly associated with an increased risk of developing MTSS. Future studies should analyze males and females separately because risk factors vary by gender. A continuum model of the development of MTSS that links the identified risk factors and known processes is proposed. These data can inform both screening and countermeasures for the prevention of MTSS in runners.
My comments
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is the new term for shin splints. This review paper was the first to perform a meta-analysis of risk factors related to the condition. Based on the paper the exact cause of the shin pain is unknown, but they noted that recent interpretations from imaging studies seem to be implicating the tibia bone itself as the most likely source of pain.
Navicular drop (an indicator for foot pronation) increased BMI, female gender, fewer years running experience and prior history of MTSS were all associated with increased risk, none of which was particularly surprising. They noted ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was most certainly not a risk factor so time spent stretching the ankle should have no protective effects. However, what was surprising to me were these findings:
“Prior use of orthotics was found to be a highly significant risk factor for developing MTSS. The effect size was large.”
“Orthotics are commonly prescribed to correct or support a foot that has been deemed to be in less than optimal alignment, but their role in prevention and intervention is unclear according to a recent systematic review. [56] Our analysis suggests their use is a causative risk factor and therefore they are not useful for prevention.”
“At least 25% of the participants included in this meta-analysis had been prescribed orthotics prior to developing MTSS.”
The authors weren’t sure why the orthotics might cause MTSS. They thought that the orthotics might cause deconditioning of the foot musculature, that they might decrease shock attenuation too much (preventing the tibial bone from positively adapting by increasing bone mineral density), or it was perhaps due to altered foot and ankle positions when running. Given that foot Orthotics have little effect on plantar fasciitis, moderate effects on patellofemoral pain, and apparently increase risk of MTSS, they should probably not be used as a matter of course. The overall risk-reward profile might not be worth it. The foot arch is better supported naturally through exercising the muscles of the foot, leg, hip and core.
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Chad Reilly is a Physical Therapist, obtaining his Master’s in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. Exercise Science also from NAU. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and holds a USA Weightlifting Club Coach Certification as well as a NASM Personal Training Certificate. Chad completed his Yoga Teacher Training at Sampoorna Yoga in Goa, India.
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